Mechanism for antenna tuning



March 13, 1951 w. J. MILLER MEHANI$M FOR ANTENNA TUNING Filed Dec. 3, 1949 INVEN TOR. Zuflmg; 77am MQQTORNEY out wiring or concern for weathereifects.

I parts of a mechanism embodying my invention Patented Mar. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MECHANISM FOR ANTENNA TUNING William J. Miller, Toledo, Ohio, assignor of one-half to Julius D. Stone Application December 3, 1949, Serial No. 131,023

My invention relates to mechanisms for disposingradio-video antenna in a desired angular positionTelative to various broadcast signals. As

is known a radio-video receiver with fixed an-.

tenna experiences various degrees of distortion or mis-interpretation of signal issuing from broadcasters-because of the geographical'relation of the broadcaster to the receiver. It is'also known that such distortion or mis-interpretation maybe eliminated by tuningthe antenna, that is by angularly moving the antenna into focus with the broadcast signal beam. My invention provides a simple, inexpensive "and easily maintained mechanism by which antenna tuning or focusingmay be obtained. -P articularly, my invention provides a mechanism that may be installed by an unskilled person with- The are by reason of their simplicity long lasting and may on breakage or wear be easily replaced.

Generally Speaking, my invention has for an object toprovidea simple turnable joint in the antenna supporting strut by which the antenna may be controllably moved angularly. Particu- 2 Claims. (01. 74-501) larly, the invention has for an object to provide a line actuated reel for effecting angular moveinent at the joint of the antennas lpporting strut. The invention consists in other features and advantages which will appear from the following description and upon examination of the drawing. Structures containingthe invention may partake of difierent forms and still embody the invention. To illustrate a practical application of the invention, I have selected 'a' mechanism for antenna tuning as an example of the various structures and details thereof that contain the invention and shall describe thev selected structure hereinafter. It-is understood that variationsmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The particular structure selected isshown in the accompanying drawing and described hereinafter.

Fig. 1 illustrates a suggested installation of a mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 i1- lustrates an enlarged elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, parts being shown in section. Fig. Bis a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2.

I acknowledge that predecessors have provided mechanisms for moving antenna to effect tuning. However, the constructions of such predecessors involve utilization of expensive and complicated parts, motors and skilled installation facilities. I intend to provide, in the combination embodying my invention, a mechanism of Simple parts, low cost and installable as by the unskilled receiving set owner, if desired.

Referring to the drawing, a typical installation is shown in Fig. 1. The radio-video antenna A is supported atop a vertically extending strut S. The strut'S is supported by suitable guy wires G on the roof of a typical residence building B in which a receiver is located. The antenna A is electrically connected by conductor lead C to the receiver within the building. A mechanism M embodying my invention about to be described is disposed as shown in thedrawing. The mechanism M shown in greater detail in Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing has essentially a sleeve member ill, a reel 15, a socket hub 20 and a cable line 25. The sleeve member l0 has an internal diameter in excess of the cross dimension of the strut S. Suitablemeans, such as set screws I I, are threaded in the sleeve member. These set screws H act to chuck-lock an end of the strut S telescopically disposed within the sleeve member, as explained hereinafter. The sleeve member ID provides by its inner annular surface l2 a journal for receiving and bearing a stubshait l 6 of the reel I5.

The stub shaft [6 is preferably keyed to the reel 15 and hence rotates therewith The reel felly I! is channeled, after the manner of sheaves,

- for receipt and winding of the cable line 25.

One end of the line 25 is affixed by stud and washer 26 to the reel and the line is woundin one or more bights around the felly ll.

Extending axially upward from the reel I5 is the socket hub 28. The inner diameter of the socket hub 20 exceeds the cross dimension of the strut S. Hence, the socket hub 20 is adapted to receive an end of the strut S telescopically therein. Preferably; the hub 20 is provided with set. screws 2| which operate, as hereinafter explained, to chuck-lock an end of strut S disposed in the hub 20.

In installation of the mechanism M, the strut S is cut to provide a lower fixed part 30 and an upper movable part 3|. The cut ends of the parts 30 and 3| are interjoined through the medium of the mechanism M. The upper cut end of part 30 is inserted into the sleeve member [0, being locked thereto by set screws H, and the lower cut end of part 3| is inserted into socket hub 20 and being locked thereto by set screws 2|. It will be seen now that when cable line 25 is drawn radially of the reel [5, the reel will tend to rotate moving part 3i and the antenna A surmounting said part angularly. By such angular movement the antenna A may be located in a desired position for receiving a broadcast signal.

In order to guide the cable line 25 in drawing the same from the reel l5, I provide a sheave l3. The'sheave I3 is rotatably mounted at one end of an arm l4 extending from sleeve member ID. Preferably, the arm 14 is twisted slightly to locate sheave 13 for rotation in a plane extending tangentiallycto thefellyg*ll*of reelilS; Bysuclm e position-,5 the'cable line 25'is drawn insmoo thfiow. from the felly H.

In order that the antenna A may be turned im an opposite direction from that produced, by; drawing the line 25, I provide resilient means tending to resist reel turning-g. 'Sucmmeanssis: 15o

embodied in a helical spring 35, oneaendziSBfiofi which is connected to the reel l5land theothen end 3! to the arm l4. 'Ih'e spring35encloses 4 in engagement with the reel adapted to rotatably support the same; means extending from said bearing means and having manually operable parts adapted for removably connecting the bearing means to the upper end of the fixed strut part, whereby the reel will be rotatably mounted on the upper end of the fixed strut part, a line connected to said reel and passing around the periphery; thereoif the; reel? Having; connector means including-manuall y operabl paets adapted for removably connecting the reel to the lower end of the antenna connected strut part whereby theeantennaawillnmove angularly as the line isv drawn from around the periphery of the reel.

' 2? lnecombinatien with an oscillatable element including a pair of elongated vertically extending. strutepartse oneeoilwhich is adapted to be fixed or nests with the outer surface of sleeve member:

H) which serves to guidethe spring convolutions asathe ,reellis turnedlby; the withdrawal -.o cable line-:; Thus, as :the, lreehis-turnedlon draw ofi the cable line 25, the springe willbedistorted.

Upon-1 release, ofdrawing tension on. the. cable line the spring, 35;. will effect counter-:rotation of the: reel; rewinding thecable line-on the reel f ally, and. disposing the: antenna .Aiina position trom whiciiit .waslfirst moved;-

In order to 'providecanheck on theccableline- 25': and limit the spring induced: movement of thelzreel l 5,.a-ferru1e '23 is.,clamped.to ltheivcable. line- 25.5 Thederrulel?! isnf such sizethat it not pass between-.theusheave Bland portion of arm...| 4 avhichlsupportsl and-lsubstantiallm houses sheavel. i3. Thelocationof theeferrulei 21 on zcable line. 25 lis s-uchithat the "reel 1 5.;willlbe. checked in.-.rotation at a,ppint-iwhere=- the spring 35 is under. tension Thus: the... cable line he:

tweentheishearel and reel will: belmaintainedtaut andnthetantenna A heldcagainstrotation induced by; forces: other. than. those. exerted through the cablellinel25r.

, Themcabledine 25 ,in the installation .shownin Fignllextends throughla iseries of -pulleys. R toga cleat;38 The treeeiverloperatorlby drawingline 25'and'clating the samemayrdis'pose-lthe an:

tenna. A .at ca desiredangular positionior, clear reception. Desiringtovtunelto another broadcast,

the user, by, unclating line 253' and Ldrawing or releasingjhe same may efiect ltliepartioular ad jfzsttnent' in, antenna. a position desired for that particular broadcast signal;

Thus it. will;ib'e seen that .Iiproviddaremark:

simple, inexpensive and; eificientv antenna toning mechanism;v

lclaimz' 12 Amechanism for movinga lradioevideo ane tenna angnlarly in ahorizontalplane thereby to; focus:th'e;antenna for reception/off a :ubroad: 'ca st signal comprising the :combination .of la -pair 'ofielon atedwertically; extendingstrut .parts one OfWhiGh'" isadapted to b'e connected .;to;. anlane tenna and. the other of which is adapteditoebe hired iagainstmovement; j a* reel; bearing means against movement, the provision of a mechanism fdr moving one strut" part relative to the fixed strut part about an axis of the fixed strut part to; thereby ppsitiom the oseiliatablea element: as desired,- saidlmechanismacomprising theocombianation-of 1a;reehandrsleevesmembenforlrotatablyg suppprtinggthe reel andv adapted1tootelescopica11yi fit :the; upper c end;.otz the-fixed; strut-,parta locle the. reelgperipheryganduorerzthei pulley;

adaptedjwhen drawn. tolcauseirotationl oftlfareel. andwrotative Jnovement lof onestrut part-xelative to @the other teeppsitionitheloscillatable.Telement, a lhel-icaLspring in nestinggrelatiomtohandasub rounding the sleeve-amemberihaving one oi; its ends.connectedutollthecreelLand ithecotheeztottha sleeve member: andtadaptedeto. yieldabhr resistrotation; of; the. reel-Min; an directional 0t; rotation produced .by; drawing; theecable llineooflll. thecreel WIILIAMZJ;

REFERENCESTLCI'IZED;

Theefollowingvreiereircescare: ofrecordiimatlie' 'fill aof-i' patent a UNITED"STA-TES5PKTENTSE Number .v Date;

931,123? .WB5l1L.----------. Q(2l3;2l9;-,19D9z 1;023,212; mallinssuuluwmfllAprz16;,1922. 1386,6741 Bauleaet salh..-.... .Auge ,192l 1396;3351 McDonald Nova8a1921 Hershey Jamal;,1930.v 

